Kolesnikov Busts Out 23.93 50 Back World Record In Euro Semi’s

2021 LEN EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

We were treated to our first world record of these European Championships, courtesy of Russian backstroking ace Kliment Kolesnikov. The 20-year-old crushed a remarkable time of 23.93 in semi-final #2 of the men’s 50m backstroke, taking down his own Russian, European and world records in the process.

After establishing himself as the top-seeded swimmer of the morning in a cool-looking 24.23, the Russian engaged an entirely new gear to bust out his eye-popping 23.93. His time overtook the previous world record of 24.00 he put up at the 2018 European Championships, making tonight the first outing ever under the 24-second territory for any man in this event.

With this result, Kolesnikov now owns 3 of the top 5 performances ever for the men’s 50m backstroke.

Top 5 Men’s LCM 50 Backstroke Performances:

  1. 23.93, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 2021
  2. 24.00, Kolesnikov 2018
  3. 24.04, Liam Tancock (GBR) 2009
  4. 24.07, Camile Lacourt (FRA) 2010
  5. 24.08, Kolesnikov 2021

Here is how the top 10 shook out for tomorrow night’s final here in Budapest:

At the 2019 FINA World Championships, Kolesnikov settled for bronze in this t50m back event, clocking a time of 24.51 in Gwangju. Countryman Evgeny Rylov snagged silver behind gold medalist Zane Waddell of South Africa, who has since retired from the sport.

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OraMudaAri
3 years ago

The power of the Jojo star tattoo

Tommy Schmitt
3 years ago

Man’s wearing an Adidas suit. Give him a proper racing suit and he goes a couple tenths quicker !

Togger
3 years ago

In the ready room in Tokyo, he’s going to look each of Murphy, Rylov and Xu dead in the eye and slowly take off that chain.

Freed of a hydrodynamic hindrance, he goes 51.3 like a kid on his first shave meet.

He said what?
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

Cue the background music and roll the cameras. Kliment is coming for you.

GrameziPT
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

Ahahah that would be awesome

Retta
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

🤣🤣

Curious swimmer
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

I’m gonna take this and base the reference off Rock Lee dropping his ankle weights or Goku dropping his heavy clothing. #seemslegit

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

And then he gets in the ready room with Dressel for the 100 free, and Dressel tucks in his drawstrings. Game over.

john26
3 years ago

In the past his 50back times haven’t been correlated with his 100back and 100free times, so it doesnt automatically mean he’ll be faster than Trials. Although after that swim, I won’t be surprised if he’s 47.0 in the 100free and near the WR in the 100back.

CRD
3 years ago

nice

Last edited 3 years ago by CRD
SnakeEyes
3 years ago
Shawn
Reply to  SnakeEyes
3 years ago

thanks

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  SnakeEyes
3 years ago

Lord. He looks like he’s doing straight-arm freestyle, just on his back. That was incredible.

DCSwim
Reply to  SnakeEyes
3 years ago

That walkout format is pretty sick ngl

Sergei Zhilkin
3 years ago

Kliment was ready for this record in Gwangju. But his feet slept down in the final. So he has to wait for an other two yeas to make an attempt. Congratulations Klim!!!

Jbs
3 years ago

It will be tough for Ryan Murphy this year guys…

Dudeman
Reply to  Jbs
3 years ago

He had a tough field in 2016 as well and delivered. The fact that there are 4 guys that could theoretically be 52.1 or faster is amazing, it just depends on if they can all go that fast in the same final

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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